Page 25 of Winner Takes All

We’ve won. We pulled this off and won the entire event... together. In a blur of activity and emotion we’re surrounded by our loved ones, given hugs and congratulations. I don’t know how much time passes before Victor leads me away from the crowd. I don’t think I take my first full breath until I’m standing on the beach alone with him. I’m not sure how he managed it.

He doesn’t say anything for a full five minutes, which I appreciate. I stare at the ocean waves, letting the rhythmic motion soothe my nerves and calm my soul. We won. It’s amazing. I’m not sure anything in life will top this.

“We did it, Nik,” he quietly says as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and gazes at the horizon.

“We did,” I finally say.

“Did you hear any of what was said? You looked pretty overwhelmed up on that stage.”

I shake my head. “No, my blood was rushing too hard and fast. I’ll have to watch the video,” I admit.

He chuckles. Then he turns us so we’re facing each other. I look into his beautiful eyes and feel at home. I’m here with him now and I have no desire to run away.

“Are you ready to accept a date with me?”

This places my feet firmly back on the ground and I laugh. “You don’t give up, do you, Victor Fortier?”

“It’s not in my nature.”

“I’m glad,” I tell him. Then I lean up and kiss him, the last of my worries gone. I’m ready to see what’s next between us. The contest might be over, but I think Victor and I are just beginning. It’s exactly where I want to be.

Chapter Thirteen

Nikki

I’m on fire as Victor leads me home. After our kiss at the beach there’s no doubt where this night’s ending. We turn off our phones, knowing they’ll be ringing nonstop otherwise. Tonight has been fated to happen from the moment I moved back to town... at the same time he rolled back home. I might’ve been fighting it, but I realize how foolish that was.

“Sex is essential for survival,” I say as we make it to my house. My door’s unlocked, which is probably foolish with so many visitors in town, but my shaking fingers are happy for it. Besides, my body’s running so hot, if someone other than Victor touches me, they’re surely going to go up in smoke.

Victor looks at me as we make it inside. I move straight to the kitchen, desperately needing water for my parched throat. I’ve been panting for the last hour. First it was the contest, and now it’s Victor.

“I’m not arguing with you, but why do you think sex is essential?” he asks with a smile.

“It releases the good hormones in our bodies that make us young,” I tell him.

“Then we should be doing it three times a day minimum so we never get old.”

“Not bad thinking,” I tell him. His eyes blaze. We both guzzle water as if we’re about to enter an Olympic contest. Considering we’re about to do some heavy aerobics, I consider it preparation.

As soon as our water’s gone, Victor pulls me into his arms and kisses me. The breath I’ve barely managed to get under control is once again lost. I press myself against him and greedily take as much from him as he takes from me.

He pushes me against the counter as we reach for each other’s clothes, ripping and tearing in our eagerness to get naked. We’ve done this before, and it was just as frantic then. When we finally stop fighting, the need for each other is overwhelming. Why did I always run afterward? I pray I don’t feel the need to flee this time. I want more of this. I need it to survive.

My shirt goes flying into the sink, my bra over the edge of a chair. His shirt lands on the floor and I have no idea where our pants go. We’re too hungry to make it to the bedroom.

Fully naked, Victor lifts me to the counter and presses up against me as his mouth consumes mine. Our tongues tangle as our hands roam. He reaches between us and clasps my breasts in his rough palms, scraping against my hard nipples, making me cry into his mouth as need burns me.

He pulls his lips from mine, making me whimper. “Are you still protected?” he gasps.

“Yes!” I call out.

He smiles. “Good.”

Before I can say more, he leans down, his lips closing over my nipple. My head’s thrown back as I cry out while he sucks and licks and nips until I’m practically sobbing. He doesn’t let up as he moves across my chest and gives ample attention to my other breast. I grip his hair and hold him to me. His fingers are definitely skilled, but his mouth is masterful.

He traces his tongue down my stomach as he spreads my legs. I quiver as he licks my thighs. I want him inside me, but I don’t want him to stop what he’s doing right now. It’s perfection.

He pushes my thighs wide as I lean back, my head hitting the cupboard behind me. I barely register the knock as his mouth closes over my core, his delicious tongue sweeping against my clit, making me cry out again. He lavishes his tongue over me, again and again as I try not to slide off the counter. His hands on my thighs are the only thing keeping me in place.

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